The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group wrote to a number of landowners regarding the part they may take in the development of the plan.

The Steering Group worked with Shropshire Council to ensure that the Neighbourhood Plan would be consistent with, and complementary to, their Core Strategy and would be the local means by which their SAMDev (“Site Allocations and Management of Development”)* exercise is discharged.

A successful meeting was held on 21st February between members of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and six representatives of social housing providers in Much Wenlock. Representatives of the private sector rental market were invited, although none attended. The discussion centred on current and future provision of ‘affordable’ or ‘social housing’, and the aspirations and needs of the community in the future.

Much Wenlock residents showed their enthusiasm for the Neighbourhood Plan with over 700 responses to the Residents Survey conducted in April and May. The survey questions were influenced by the community consultation that took place in the previous six months. Some clear messages emerge from the analysis.

Most respondents wanted limited housing growth and there was very strong support for more affordable housing. There was an overwhelming majority in favour of smaller housing development sites.

The jobs and local economy responses revealed that tourism, leisure and crafts should be encouraged by the Neighbourhood Plan. Whilst many wanted to allocate more land to stimulate local employment, only a small minority wanted undeveloped greenfield sites to be used for this purpose. A significant majority of replies showed that future development should respect Much Wenlock’s character and landscape setting.

Facilities for young people, flood prevention measures and improvements to vehicle parking attracted support, and many said they want better public toilet facilities in the town. Of those who see public transport as important, most want more convenient bus services to Telford.

Much Wenlock businesses have also took part in a survey (see below) and the output from both surveys, together with other data, informed the objectives against which the Steering group and community volunteers will create an options document. This work will, in turn, be publicly available on this website in due course.

The Town Council engaged Shropshire Community Council to analyse the data from both surveys.

The Independent Plan Examiner was Assistant Director, Economy, Environment and Culture at Herefordshire Council. He began working for the Council in 2006 after his initial appointment to the position of Head of Planning Services. From 2002 to 2006 he was Head of Planning Services at the Isle of Wight Council. He has 31 years experience in local government and with six local authorities. He also provides support and assistance to other local authorities in his capacity as an officer peer.